Dr. Phillip Kissel

Dr. Kissel has been a lifesaver to me and my family (almost no hyperbole in that statement at all). I had been suffering for months with severe sciatica and the related agony and disability that comes with it. After a brief initial visit with another back specialist, I was immediately referred to Dr. Kissel’s office for surgery consultation. I was rushed into the office within days and I was cleared for a microdiscectomy procedure almost immediately afterwards. I was in the hospital having my procedure only a week later. His staff did a wonderful job of pushing my case through insurance which is notorious for dragging their feet on this kind of procedure. So I am very grateful to them as well. Long story short, I was operated on, and immediately my symptoms were all but gone. I am still in recovery and Dr. Kissel told me to expect some setbacks along the recovery road, but I feel so much better already. Dr. Kissel has a wonderful bedside manner and he describes procedures and answers questions in a very frank and straightforward manner. And he treats you with the respect and sympathy one deserves when suffering debilitating back problems. His staff, as I mentioned above is second to none, as well. I would, and will recommend Dr. Kissel to anyone who may need back or spine surgery in the future. Dr. Kissel has been a lifesaver to me and my family (almost no hyperbole in that statement at all). … More

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A true professional!

I wish I could have 5 or more negative stars. He was so nice before my back surgery and seemed to get good reviews BUT he was a HORRIBLE surgeon. I fell two days after my surgery ( because of the bad combination of drugs he prescribed- when my husband called to tell him about fall, his nurse was appalled at the drugs prescribed and told me to immediately Stop) He was not concerned when I went back for check up and said it took a while to heal and I was “old”..... I’m a young 72!! My surgery was in April and in August I visited him with my daughter and said I’m not getting better I would like an MRI he said NO but I’ll do an X-ray. I had that done and he said I was fine! I then had consultations with 3 top neurologists in Santa Barbara who said Dr Kissels surgery compromised my back by entering the wrong way causing more problems. In OCTOBER I went to Cedar Sinai and Drs Johnson and Kim took an X-RAY and said I had a BROKEN BACK (from the fall).. In APRIL I had MAJOR surgery 3 discs, 4 sets of screws and titanium rods ! I still, after 4 years take pain pills. DO NOT GO TO DR KISSEL...looking back, I wish I had sued him. I wish I could have 5 or more negative stars. He was so nice before my back surgery and seemed to get good reviews BUT he was a HORRIBLE surgeon. I fell two days after my surgery ( because of the bad combination of drugs he prescribed- when … More

It is very rare, in my personal experience, to meet such a caring, compassionate, straight-forward, easy to understand doctor. I feel so grateful to be in his care and highly recommend Dr. Kissel to anyone who may need surgery.

Very good doctor I would recommend him. He did a two level acdf it's been 6 months and so far so good

So afraid to have surgery , however Dr. Kissel asured me I would turn out great. He was so right, he made all of my severe nerve pain go away! Forever great full to dr Kissel.

Dr. Kissel was running late but his office kept me current as to when he'd be arriving. When I finally get to see him, he introduced himself and was very apologetic for making me wait. He asked a LOT of questions and he was very thorough. We went over my options and came to a mutual agreement. During this appointment I never felt rushed. When we finished, Dr. Kissel apologized again for his lateness. I would definitely recommend Dr. K to anyone. Dr. Kissel was running late but his office kept me current as to when he'd be arriving. When I finally get to see him, he introduced himself and was very apologetic for … More

Although a friend commented positively about Dr.Kissel, and maybe he is good with specific surgeries, he failed to diagnose my mother’s broken hip, and was somewhat dismissive about her whole situation. I would have appreciated more willingness and aggressiveness on his part to get to the root of her problem, which could have been easily fixed with a hip replacement. After a visit to Los Angeles to the Orthopedic and Spine Center, her problem was diagnosed, but that was after seeing a handful of doctors in S.LO.

Dr. Kissel was called in to perform a craniotomy after I fell and fractured my skull. I believe I received amazing care from this doctor. He kept me calm and took a great amount of time explaining the procedure, the outcome and aftercare. I feel like I won the lottery having Dr. Kissel assigned to my care.

Dr Kissel is great. He has done two surgeries on me, L4-5 hemilaminectomy and C5-6-7 fusion. Both procedures went so smoothly. On the L4-5, I walked one mile after awaking from surgery...amazing what can happen when you can feel your foot again. He is clear in what he is going to do and what his expectations of the patient’s role are in the recovery process. Highly recommend Dr Kissel and will continue to see him as long as he has his practice.

I give Doctor Kissel and his staff 5 stars. Dr. Kissel explained everything that was going on with my discs and what to expect during and after surgery. He has excellent bedside manner. I highly recommend him.

Very likeable, kind of guy. The only problem being poor management of unexpected issues during surgery, leaving patient to die at home after release.

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My experience with Dr. Kissel was heartbreaking for me. He was very superior and treated me in a demeaning way. I waited 6 weeks to see him only to be asked if I was hearing things and told I needed to see a shrink. I would never recommend him to anyone. The day he decided to become a surgeon is the day he should have decided to have compassion for others. I eventually did find help for my severely dislocated atlas bone. Dr. Kissel needs to learn about the spinal cord and the various symptoms associated with displacement so that he can refer people out and learn that these kinds of injuries also can ruin lives and are devastating to people. Thank you Dr. Kissel for making a devastating time in my life worse by making me feel like i was going crazy and treating me as if I was. My experience with Dr. Kissel was heartbreaking for me. He was very superior and treated me in a demeaning way. I waited 6 weeks to see him only to be asked if I was hearing things and told I needed to see a shrink. I would never recommend … More

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GREAT DOCTOR

I had a wonderful experience dealing with Dr. kessil. I would recommend him to all who have back issues. I will go back again if I have any back issues in the future.

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Great bedside manner, honest, caring, great surgeon!

A very smart and kind Dr.. He did my husbands back surgery, no problems..

Dr. Kissel and his staff were great! Very kind, helpful, and professional!

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Everything was perfect. He was thorough in his explanation of what was happening and what would happen during and after the surgery. He answered all questions. He handled scheduling the follow up, visits during my hospital recovery, etc. I was never left in wonderment.

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Quite Simply, Dr. Kissel is THE BEST physician that I have ever had the privilege of meeting. He truly saved my life when my spinal cord was severed. I give this doctor the highest recommendation possible!